Marvel stuff

Pain

Thor often told the Avengers tales of the Guardians of the Galaxy, stories of adventure and space wars they won. 

He didn't tell many details unless they were relevant to the story, somehow entirely leaving out the fact that Rocket was a raccoon and that Groot only ever said "I am Groot." among other things.

He'd just finished one such tale when Tony suggested "You should bring them here the next time you visit." 

So that's what he did.

Not a month later, Thor and the Guardians arrived at the tower. Loki had already been there as he had recently become close friends with Natasha and Bucky and she was teaching them to be a bit more confident and social rather than the insecure (little beans) people they'd become after being hated, brainwashed killers.

Bucky always avoided touching people with his left hand, same for fragile objects like flowers or glass, as his fingers will uncontrollably twitch, only slightly but with a lot of force. It only happens one or two times a day, but he can't tell when it will happen. If he ever has to hold a gun for a mission or something, he has his right hand on the trigger - just in case.

The Avengers of course were shocked to find out that Rocket was not in fact a humanoid and that Groot simply said 'I am Groot'

After clearing up those 'little' details they got to know each other and overall had a pretty good time.

Wanda went to grab food for everyone and Mantis followed to help.

It all happened quite quickly, one second everyone was joking and debating over what is and isn't "chips" like fries and potato chips and everyone laughed when Tony casually added "gambling chips are delicious", the next second Mantis tripped on the edge of the carpet and fell.

Peter Parker and Peter Quill tried to grab her but were on the other side of the coffee table, Groot shot out a vine but only caught air, Steve and Thor reached out but were too slow. The one who did catch her was Bucky as he was sitting on the floor right next to where she fell.

Steve shook his head and sighed "It's just like the 40s. All the ladies are falling for him."

"Shut up Steven, you're not a lady."

Mantis started bawling her eyes out and sobbing saying things like "it hurts so much" and "there is unbearable pain". "Mantis are you ok? Did I hurt you?!" Bucky was frantic, his fear only worsened her state. Loki -who was the next closest to them- came over to see if she was injured or frightened.

Loki placed his hand gently on her shoulder to get her attention but again she only cried harder. "I think it's her shoulder." 

"No look!" Quill pointed to Mantis, "her antenna only glow when she uses her powers."

"She has powers?" Peter (P) said, "Dammit Thor, you were supposed to tell us things like that!" Tony exclaimed, clearly annoyed at the number of 'details' he'd left out.

"Yes, and you two are making her cry, just let her go." Quill said and they both immediately jumped away as though their skin had been burned.

Mantis sniffled a bit and wiped her eyes. "Her power is empathy, she touches someone and feels their emotions. Even control them to an extent."

Bucky and Loki just stayed completely still, trapped and staring at their friends like two deer in headlights, fear and exposure written plain across their faces.

Steve seemed to make the connection first and, as Quill comforted Mantis, rushed over to hold Bucky, who turned away, making himself as small as a 6 foot super-soldier physically can be, crying and apologising for making Mantis upset.

Loki backed away and even pulled out a knife when Thor tried to approach him, still looking terrified.

Everyone looked at them with concern. Both Bucky and Loki turned away from the attention and shame.

Peter noticed how uncomfortable they were and to distract everyone, fell off the ceiling.

At the thump, everyone turned around and he joked "I forgot I was upside down." "Why the fuck were you upside down?" the raccoon asked

"he just does that sometimes" Sam responded. "I am groot?" "he asked if it's normal for children to stick to ceilings here"

"no, I have the superpowers of a spider!" "THOR WHY DID WE NOT KNOW THIS?" "THOR!!"

During the chaos, Loki and Bucky slipped away, unnoticed, and made a mental note to thank the Spider boy later.